The Baltimore Ravens had a big breakthrough last season when they were able to sweep their hated AFC North rivals en route to the division title. They went on to fall just four points short of a Super Bowl appearance.

As coach John Harbaugh told his first-place Ravens after their win over Oakland last Sunday, "We've got you know who, you know where" this week.

In a three-week stretch, the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will face off twice—and there's a good chance Baltimore will get the big break of not having to face Ben Roethlisberger either time.

NFL Game of the Week

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). Injuries have knocked some familiar names out of this physically brutal feud. Big Ben's toughness and improvisational skills will be missed by Pittsburgh, while Baltimore will miss Ray Lewis in an emotional, tight contest. The Steelers' best chance with Byron Leftwich is to pound their backs at the Lewis-less Ravens, who can now get worn down by the running game. So that puts a lot on Rashard Mendenhall, who's expected to return from an Achilles’ injury that has sidelined him the past four games.

The Ravens will commit to stopping the run on early downs so they can put the athletically challenged Leftwich in uncomfortable third downs against their edge pass rush. Offense plays a vital role in that plan, too. The Ravens will need more fearless, efficient play from Joe Flacco early and a few big plays from Ray Rice and Torrey Smith. It will be tough, but Rice's quickness and Smith's speed are key assets to stretch the Steelers.

As usual, there will be a lot of hard hitting but not a lot of scoring. It will be a grind for the Ravens, even without having to face Roethlisberger. But for the second straight season, Flacco will respond on the road against Pittsburgh. Ravens 23, Steelers 20

NFC Game of the Week

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). It looks like Bears quarterback Jay Cutler won't play, but his post-concussion counterpart, the 49ers' Alex Smith, will. In a matchup of NFC contenders, that significantly tilts the game to the hosts, who are built very similar to the Texans team that beat Chicago last week.

Like Houston before them, the Niners are a strong running and ball-control passing team that prefers to methodically move the ball down the field. Offensively, the Bears will try to help Jason Campbell with max protection and many touches for Matt Forte. But the 49ers won't respect Chicago’s receiving threats beyond Brandon Marshall. That should allow them to bring extra pressure to rattle the non-elusive Campbell. Go with the more well-rounded healthier team at home in prime time. 49ers 20, Bears 13

Remix of the Week

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS). Until last season, this had been the NFL’s must-watch regular-season matchup because of the quarterbacks. It regains that status here, only with Tom Brady now ready to duel the next great one, Andrew Luck. The Patriots' defensive woes will allow Luck to do well, but the Colts also have plenty of coverage issues.

We can only hope that will lead to some pretty passing and big plays, even in November at New England. Luck has the weapons to make it interesting, but Brady has a little more firepower around him. Luck has been an "A" student, but that should only motivate the master to answer. Patriots 34, Colts 27

Rematch of the Week

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS). It was the best of times, it was the worst of times for the Chargers in their Week 6 loss to Denver. A 24-0 halftime lead turned into a shocking 35-24 loss. Their 3-1 start has been followed by a 1-4 middle. Two games behind the Broncos, they pretty much need this game to have any shot at the AFC West title, and really, the playoffs.

The Broncos have sizzled since that second half in San Diego and have won four straight. With a very favorable schedule and Peyton Manning playing out of his mind, they're threatening to win out. Defensively, Von Miller will continue to wreak havoc and help force Philip Rivers into more critical mistakes. Broncos 34, Chargers 20

Upset of the Week

New Orleans Saints at Oakland Raiders (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX). Drew Brees leads the NFC in passing yards, and the Raiders have the No. 24 pass defense. Carson Palmer leads the AFC in passing yards, and the Saints have the worst pass defense. Thomas Morstead and Shane Lechler are arguably the NFL's two best punters, but they won't be needed much. This sets up as a great passing duel, with plenty of good running, too—even with just one of the two Darrens (Sproles, not McFadden) available. Even the best teams can get bewitched in the Black Hole, and the hosts' mojo will trump New Orleans' voodoo. Raiders 38, Saints 35

Lock of the Week

Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX). The Falcons no longer need to worry about that whole perfection thing. New goal: Hold on to the NFC's top seed so they can stay at home for the playoffs. They'll be itching to take out the loss at New Orleans on somebody at the Georgia Dome, and it just happens to be the Cardinals. A long trip after a bye will wear on Arizona, as it doesn't have the passing pop to compete with Matt Ryan where he plays best. Falcons 34, Cardinals 17

Rest of the Week

Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS). The Chiefs learned something in Pittsburgh: When they protect the ball, their talented young defense gives them a real chance. The Bengals are vulnerable against the run, and the combination of Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis can wear them down. The Arrowhead fans finally will have something to celebrate. Chiefs 20, Bengals 17

Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS). Trent Richardson will do his best Emmitt Smith impression and former college Cowboy Brandon Weeden will keep the Browns hanging around. But, eventually, defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will call the right plays to rattle those rookies while Dallas' offensive veterans will come through late. Cowboys 23, Browns 20

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX). The Packers have some injury-related defensive holes without Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson, so it will be on Aaron Rodgers and the passing game to hum again after the bye. Matthew Stafford will do his best to keep the Lions alive in a shootout but will fall short, like he did against Matt Flynn last season. Packers 38, Lions 31

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS). The Texans are used to throttling overmatched opponents, and this will be an opportunity to finally get Arian Foster that elusive monster rushing game. With no challenge of Maurice Jones-Drew, J.J. Watt and friends will be in Blaine Gabbert's face all day and the Jags will endure another blowout. Texans 41, Jaguars 6

New York Jets at St. Louis Rams (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS). Brian Schottenheimer will be the star in the “offensive coordinator revenge game of the week,” and you can bet he'll be ready to pound Steven Jackson on a reeling Jets defense. Jeff Fisher will also make sure that Mark Sanchez takes a pounding, as his corners play lockdown and first-round ends Chris Long and Robert Quinn tee off. Rams 23, Jets 10

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX). So much for the quarterback track meet between Michael Vick and Robert Griffin III. Now RG3 draws fellow rookie Nick Foles, and both quarerbacks have favorable matchups against confused pass defenses. It's easier to like Griffin a little more at home after a bye, as his running will drive the Eagles' back seven batty. Redskins 27, Eagles 24

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX). There's a big, young, strong-armed quarterback breaking through in the NFC South—but it’s Josh Freeman, not Cam Newton. Freeman's Bucs have been explosive with big plays from their wide receivers and rookie running sensation Doug Martin. The Panthers will show improved firepower against Tampa's pass D, but the visitors are better equipped to take a wild one. Buccaneers 30, Panthers 27